Mikulski backs Brown in primary for Maryland governor

U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski threw her support behind Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown on Sunday in the 2014 governor’s race, praising him as “a man of honor and a man of commitment."

For Mikulski, her endorsement of Brown and his running mate, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, breaks with her usual practice of neutrality in Democratic primaries.

“I never make this endorsement lightly or easily,” she said. “Every now and then you have to put what’s best for me aside.”

Mikulski announced her backing of Brown at a rally in Silver Spring in the home county of Brown’s two known opponents in the June 24 primary, Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler and Del. Heather Mizeur. Mizeur announced her candidacy in July. Gansler is scheduled to formally join the race Tuesday.

The senator pointed to Brown’s role in leading the O’Malley administration’s effort to implement the Affordable Care Act, which congressional Republicans are now trying to kill off by cutting its funding.

“On Oct. 1, while we’re fighting to save Obamacare, we know that in Maryland we have a health exchange that’s ready to go because of Anthony Brown,” she said.